American Media Inc. (AMI) and the IFBB Professional League announced today that the total prize money for the 2009 Olympia, presented by MuscleTech and brought to you by Bodybuilding.com, will be increased to $800,000. Included in that total is a $200,000 purse for winning the Mr. Olympia, an increase of $45,000 from 2008. Overall, the total prize money has been increased by over $60,000 from last year's event.

"We are thrilled to announce the increase in prize money for the 2009 Olympia," said AMI Chairman, President and CEO David J. Pecker. "The Olympia Weekend is the biggest and best event in bodybuilding, so we believe the prize money for the competitors should be a reflection of that. As far as what's at stake, the Olympia is clearly setting the standard."

The Arnold Classic is the closest to the Olympia in terms of total prize money awarded. In 2009, $466,000 in total prize money was awarded at the Arnold Classic. In addition to men's bodybuilding, the prize money has also increased for the Figure Olympia and the 202 Showdown. Also, for the first time in history, the purse for the runner-up in a men's bodybuilding contest will reach the six-figure mark, as the second-place finisher will receive $100,000 in prize money.

"The partnership between AMI and the IFBB Pro League is obviously working in the direction, as David Pecker and Ben Weider promised, to make the Olympia the best contest in the world," IFBB Professional League Chairman Jim Manion said. "They are giving more back to the bodybuilders than anyone ever has. All the female competitors should be happy because the increased prize money makes everybody even across the board. The IFBB professional League is happy to be working with AMI in such a positive relationship as we continue to move bodybuilding forward in honor of Ben Weider."

When AMI took over the Olympia in 2004, the total prize money for Olympia Weekend was $540,000. Included in that total was a $120,000 purse for the Olympia winner.